Bukayo Saka had a testing first half in Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid.
The Gunners headed to the Santiago Bernabeu with a three-goal lead, a scenario beyond their wildest dreams.
Naturally, Real Madrid started dreaming of a comeback, a plot that was almost spoiled only ten minutes into the second leg.
Referee Francois Letexier was criticised for his first-half performance, but the official had Arsenal fans gleaming as the visitors were awarded an early penalty.
Just as the thought of a 4-0 lead set in, Saka stepped up and missed from the spot, with the winger fumbling his lines as he attempted a cheeky panenka finish.
Dani Carvajal clashes with Bukayo Saka
Saka’s penalty miss in the opening ten minutes wasn’t the only drama that the Englishman was involved in before the interval.
As the players headed to the tunnel for half-time, Saka was caught on the touchline by Dani Carvajal, who, despite not playing in the fixture, made his presence known.
Carvajal was seen to exchange words with Saka before placing his hand on the Arsenal academy graduate’s neck, then attempting to pull him back for the heated conversation to continue.
As expected, Saka, whose temperament is never questioned, wanted to play no part in the Spaniard’s mind games, heading down the tunnel as outsiders had to intervene.
Real Madrid had been playing mind games with Arsenal in the build-up to the fixture, with Los Blancos willing to do anything in an attempt to turn the tie around.
Referee drama in Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Carvajal’s attempt to start a feud with Saka was one of the less eventful moments of the first half, which says a lot.
As mentioned, Letexier, the referee, was the centre of attention in the early minutes of the heated fixture.
Not only were Arsenal awarded a penalty for Raul Asencio’s foul on Mikel Merino, but Letexier also pointed to the spot in the host’s favour.
Real Madrid’s penalty against Arsenal was overturned to the relief of many, as VAR intervened in the Gunners’ favour once more.
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